Stevens: Don't anticipate having Smart next week

Share

BOSTON - If you asked Santa for a healthy Marcus Smart this Christmas, well, he may not be able to deliver on that one.

Smart, who has been out with a left knee injury since Nov. 20 when he banged knees with Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson, will miss his 15th straight game Friday night against the Hawks due to the injury.

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge said on Thursday that Smart got some work in on the court and looked good. Ainge also said that he expects Smart back on the court sometime around the end of the year, or beginning of next year.

Prior to Friday's game, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens was asked about Smart's recovery.

"I don’t have an exact time from the standpoint of an update or any target date," Stevens said. "I don’t anticipate him being available for next week’s games, before Christmas, and then after that I’m kind of in wait and see mode."

Stevens said Smart did a little more work on the court on Friday and felt good, but reiterated that it doesn't sound like he'll be ready for next week's games.

The Celtics host the Timberwolves next Monday before hitting the road for a game in Charlotte on Wednesday and Detroit on Saturday before they return home one day later to host the Knicks.

They close out the calendar year with a home game on Wednesday, Dec. 30 against the Lakers.

Contact Us